Boston Barrier work about to start

There's no grass growing under the feet of those tasked with building the Boston Barrier, which received final Government approval just before Christmas.

The £100 million project - which will better protect more than 14,000 properties from tidal flooding - was given the green light by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Michael Gove, and HM Treasury.

On Monday, January 8, pontoons in the river along London Road will be moved across the river and moored on the Ports Quays, downriver of the Swing Bridge.,

It is expected the moorings will be off-station for approximately four weeks while the Port carries out maintenance dredging at the pontoon site on behalf of main contractor Bam Nuttall / Mott McDonald (BMMJV). After completion of the dredging, the pontoons will be returned to their original position.

From Monday, January 15, onwards there will be significant amount of works commencing in the Haven. Around 75 metres of scour protection piling works will commence at the Port of Boston's starch berth situated between the grain loading silo and Dani Foods.

All piling will take place from the shore, using a tracked crawler crane. The expectation is that the 19 metre-long piles will not swing out over the river but mariners have been advised to take extra caution when navigating in this area. Warning signs will be erected at either end of the works. Piling will take place during the hours of 7am to 7pm.

The tidal barrier will feature a moveable gate across the River Witham (also known locally as The Haven), together with a new control building to operate the barrier, new flood defence walls on both banks, and a replacement gate across the entrance to the existing Port of Boston wet dock.

The Barrier will make Boston one of the best-protected areas from flooding outside of London.

BMMJV Framework Director Allan Rogers said: "We are looking forward to delivering this innovative flood protection scheme. We have a proven track record of success having recently completed phase one of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme."

An artist's impression of how the barrier will appear looking downstream.